The president delivered the statement during the event in which he officiated two hydroelectric power plants built by the Kalla Group in Sulawesi: the 515-MW capacity Poso Energy in Poso District, Central Sulawesi, and the 90-MW capacity Malea Energy in Tana Toraja District, South Sulawesi.
As quoted from a live broadcast from the Presidential Secretariat's official YouTube channel on Friday, the president called for the PLN President Director's consideration and attentiveness in refining the bureaucratic system so as to cut down or eliminate complaints.
Founder of the Kalla Group, Jusuf Kalla, also voiced his complaint about the strenuous bureaucracy at PLN during the development of the two power plants.
Kalla suggested for the process to be simplified in the construction of green energy power plants and new renewable energy, such as hydropower, in order to facilitate the achievement of emission reduction targets.
"The negotiation process took five years, Sir. That is only negotiation, while the development took seven years, so a total of 12 years... Hopefully, it would be simplified. One year of negotiation is sufficient," he remarked.
Jokowi called on all stakeholders to consider the challenges faced by investors while investing in the energy sector.
The president noted that bureaucratic problems were only part of the issues faced by these investors in addition to having to mull over ways to secure project funding.
Jokowi stated that regardless of the level of patience one might have, negotiating for five consecutive years could take its toll on people, and that did not even cover the actual development yet.
The president lauded efforts expedited by the Kalla Group that had built hydropower plants in Poso and Tana Toraja and was currently continuing the development of similar energy infrastructure in Kerinci, West Sumatra, and Mamuju, West Sulawesi.
Kalla highlighted that a total investment of Rp17 trillion had been spent for the two power plants.
State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif, State Secretary Minister Pratikno, and Governor of Central Sulawesi Rusdy Mastrura, were present during the event.
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Translator: Gilang Galiartha, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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